It was a glorious sight to behold as the people gathered to celebrate the 5th edition Ghigho Aghofen. This was remarkably the last Ghigho Aghofen for the year 2022. The ceremony as usual was attended by people from all over Nigeria. These included Itsekiri sons and daughters and Friends of the Iwere Nation. The event symbolized the end of Okotomu Irigbo community palace watch, which began on 30th september 2022. The 3 months tenure of Okotomu Irigbo came to a successful end today. They were replaced by Ugborodo community in grand style.
As expected there was a rich display of the Culture with lots of drumming, singing and dancing. The 5th edition of Ghigho Aghofen featured spectacular displays from the Benin from Edo, Tiv from Benue, Ilaje from Ondo. Other displays were from Arewa community, the Igala from Kogi, Urhobos from Delta, Ugborodo community and Okotomu Irigbo community.
Ogiame Atuwatse III, Olori Atuwatse III, Papa Ayo Oritsejafor, Olorogun Great Ogboru, Chief Mene Brown, Sen Ovie Omo-Agege and Chief Dr. Roland Oritsejafor 
Ogiame Atuwatse III with Ezra Arenyeka ( the Itsekiri boxer showing Ogiame his belt). With them are Chief Gabriel Awala, Chief Solomon Arenyeka and Mr Val Arenyeka (Ezra’s dad) 
Ogiame Atuwatse III and Olori Atuwatse III 
Ogiame Atuwatse III and Olori Atuwatse III 
Chief Omolubi and Chief Prest Udueyin after taking permission from Ogiame Atuwatse III 
Ugborodo community dancers at the 5th edition of Ghigho Aghofen 
Ugborodo community greeting Ogiame Atuwatse III after he granted them permission 
Okotomu-Irigbo dancers 
Ugborodo ukueke 
Ugborodo dancers 
Ugborodo community receiving the flag from Ogiame Atuwatse III 
Urhobo dancers at the 5th edition of Ghigho Aghofen 
Ilaje dancers at 5th edition of Ghigho Aghofen 
Mr Griftson Omatsuli 
Shola Olueh
Dignitaries at the 5th edition of Ghigho Aghofen
Several dignitaries attended the event including Papa Ayo Oritsejafor (Founder Word of Life Bible Church), Senator Ovie Omo-Agege (Deputy Senate President of Nigeria and Delta State Governorship Candidate of the APC), Olorogun Great Ogboru (Delta State Governorship Candidate of the APGA). Other dignitaries include Hon. Austine Uroye represented Hon. Sherriff Oborevwori (Delta State Governorship Candidate of the PDP), Hon. Temi Harriman (Former House of Rep. Member), Hon. David Tonwe (Director General Delta State Security), Engr Shola Olueh (NNPP Delta State House of Assembly Candidate) etc.
Change of guard by the communities
One of the most interesting displays to look out for is the dance off between the outgoing and incoming communities for the palace watch duties. It symbolises a power tussle between the communities due to an unwillingness of the present community on palace watch duty to hand over to the incoming community. The Okotomu Irigbo community held their own, with very vibrant dance displays in a bid to hold on to the prestigious palace watch duty.
The Ugborodo Community (comprising Ode-Ugborodo, Madangho, Ogidigben, Ijaghala and Ajudaibo) came prepared with a show stopping regatta rich. The regatta which is mostly found during Itsekiri Event tells alot about the History of the Itsekiri people as a water tribe. The Ugborodo Community were dressed in Ewu biri Kemije fifen (White blouse/Kemije) and Branded Egho Aso (green wrapper). They showed enthusiasm as they proudly in accepted the palace watch duties warding off the outgoing community in a friendly dance off.
The Ogiame expressed gratitude to all the attendee for making themselves available to celebrate the 5th Edition of Ghigho Aghofen. While addressing the people, the Olu announced that he would be visiting Okotomu Irigbo Community soon. This was as a result of missing his planned visit to the community last week as planned due to a national assignment. He also announced the Ghigho Aghofen schedule for 2023.
The schedule for the next palace watch;
Ijala 25th march 2023
Ikpisan 24th June 2023
Okere 30th September 2023
Orugbo 16th December 2023
Ogiame Suoooo!!!